In this paper, we propose an object-oriented logical formalism to conceptionally model applications in an interoperable environment. Such an environment consists of heterogeneous and autonomous local (database) systems. Applications in such an environment use several resources and services. Their conceptual modelling involves re-specification of existing systems in terms of homogeneous views, modelling of behavior and system dynamics, modelling of logically distributed components in an open environment and the modeling of communication relationships and dependencies between components. We introduce a formal object-oriented language capable of dealing with these requirements and illustrate its use to model applications in an interoperable environment. 1 Introduction We are currently facing a situation where more and more applications are aiming at integrating and using data and services of local (database) systems [3]. Information has become a key factor in industry, thus it becomes es...

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Information systems are open, reactive, and often distributed systems that maintain persistent data. The Troll and omTroll languages aim at specifying information systems on a high level of abstraction, supported by tools integrated in the Tbench. The development is rooted in abstract data types, conceptual modeling, behavior modeling, specification of reactive systems, and concurrency theory.

: Prototyping based on formal specification should satisfy the requirements of engineers and users equally. The support of both groups requires a formalization of all activities as contract base and an increase of experience by experimental strategies. Contrary to these requirements several problems rest with existing software development environments, which result in complex systems becoming easily unmanageable. Our approach to develop a prototyping environment integrates former results of our project "Implementation of Information Systems". We propose the object-oriented specification language Troll as core of the integrated software development environment TBench. Troll is used for conceptual modeling of structural and behavioral aspects of the universe of discourse by offering a formal framework. Moreover the TBench utilizes Troll to realize relationships between the various graphical representations and the different stages of development. Especially Troll specification documents ...

. The specification language TROLL light is designed for the conceptual modeling of information systems. Maude is a logic programming language, which unifies the two paradigms of functional and concurrent object-oriented programming. Because of the very similar features offered by both languages, we present a translation from TROLL light concepts into the Maude language in order to compare the languages. Apart from presenting the translation, the languages are briefly described and illustrated by examples. 1 Introduction Various approaches for the specification of complex software systems have appeared recently, for example: Specification of functions (VDM, Z [Jon86, BHL90]), abstract data types [EM85, EGL89, EM90, Wir90], predicate logic and extensions like temporal and modal logic [MP91], semantic data models [HK87], and process specification (CCS [Mil80], CSP [Hoa85], petri nets [Rei85]). Recent Trends in Data Type Specification (ADT'92) H. Ehrig, F. Orejas (Eds.), Springer, Berl...

. Within the compound project KorSo our team is concerned with the research on techniques and methods for the development of reliable information systems on the basis of formal specifications. Our work focuses on the specification language TROLL light which allows to describe the part of the world which is to be modeled as a community of concurrently existing and communicating objects by determining their structure as well as their behavior. Moreover we develop and implement a computer aided specification environment for TROLL light which permits a prototyping animation as well as the proof of properties of specifications. 1 Introduction Proc. 5th Int. Conf. Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE'93) C. Rolland, F. Bodart, C. Cauvet (Eds.), Springer, Berlin, LNCS 685, pp. 463-483 (1993) Several approaches for the specification of complex software systems have been put forward in recent years, for example: Specification of functions (VDM, Z [Jon86, BHL90]), abstract data type...

The first phase in developing information systems is often called conceptual modelling phase. The model constructed is the first formal document describing the desired system. The conceptual model must deal with structural and behavioural aspects of the world. The complexity of such a model often prevents a detailed understanding by the customers. One way to estimate if (s)he really gets what (s)he wants are prototype systems constructed by conventional programming. We propose a way to construct prototypes out of formal specifications by means of transformation into a kernel language that can be executed in a suitable distributed runtime environment. We introduce the modelling language, the basic execution mechanism, and the basic architecture of the runtime system. 1 Introduction A large number of software systems can be characterized as information systems. The purpose of an information system is to realize parts of the world usually called Universe of Discourse (UoD) in a computer ...

Inheritance is the main principle in object-oriented design methods to support structuring and reuse of object behaviour descriptions. Most proposals restrict the (formal) use of inheritance to method interfaces and method effect specifications.

Conceptual modelling of complex information systems requires the use of a formal design approach covering both static and dynamic aspects of the system and the modelled Universe of Discourse. Viewing an information system as a collection of communicating objects is close to the intuitive perception of such systems on a conceptual level. Objects have a local state, show a specific behaviour, communicate with other objects and may be itself composed from smaller objects. This article presents an abstract concept of such dynamic objects and discusses language features of a specification language for describing object systems. The presented language Troll2 supports structuring mechanisms of semantic data models together with process specification constructs to cover object dynamics. Extensions of the presented framework are discussed covering the step from communicating objects to cooperating agents allowing more flexible system structures. 1 Introduction Conceptual modelling of informat...

Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 4.5.4 Special Approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 4.6 Semantics of Programming Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 4.6.1 Semantics of Ada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 4.6.2 Action Semantics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 4.7 Specification Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 4.7.1 Early Algebraic Specification Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 4.7.2 Recent Algebraic Specification Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 4.7.3 The Common Framework Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 5 Methodology 57 5.1 Development Phases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 5.1.1 Applica...